Early Soft Top Door Skinning
- Thread starter Cruiser_Nerd
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #2
Now, unlike the square doors which have the top bar to stretch from, I'll need to glue this into the opening and stretch from there. 
All my experience with paste tells me that's going to be a disaster. 
So, no pictures yet, because I'm out of patience. But I'm thinking if I cut a plywood "plug" from 3/4" plywood to fit snug in the window opening and insert it from the outside that should hold it during gluing and I can leave it in for the stretch.
Maybe tomorrow.
All my experience with paste tells me that's going to be a disaster. So, no pictures yet, because I'm out of patience. But I'm thinking if I cut a plywood "plug" from 3/4" plywood to fit snug in the window opening and insert it from the outside that should hold it during gluing and I can leave it in for the stretch.
Maybe tomorrow.
I like the idea of a snug plug. Maybe you can use some shims to make it really snug or screw on some 2x1 planks on both sides of the plug in the door (inner and outer like a sandwich) to keep it place while you do the work...
wow that does look tricky!
makes the 40 door canvas stretching look like drawing with crayons
makes the 40 door canvas stretching look like drawing with crayons
If ya mean the outer channel of the door, i believe SOR is makin it now, assuming it is same as the 40's
- Thread starter
- #8
Actually worked out with some forward planning when it was available five or so years ago.......
No work tonight, I'll play with it this weekend. Ordered some #6 stainless screws for the trim. I'll have to grind down the heads like Johnny had posted. The originals are around a #5 but a lot of the holes were stripped out.
So Jim if you need any other pictures let me know. We are heading up to the cabin this weekend, so let me know as soon as you can.
Going to take my new trailer up and then move some stones around to make a border for the driveway in hopes of getting another stone to move That and drink beer
Going to take my new trailer up and then move some stones around to make a border for the driveway in hopes of getting another stone to move
That and drink beer
- Thread starter
- #10
This actaully seemed to work pretty well. Glued and drying. I cut a 3/4" piece of luan, after a few trial and errors it ended up about 3/16" smaller than the opening to allow for the canvas. After a couple tests it seemed best to:
1- lay the plug on the table
2- lay the fabric on the plug.......but don't pull it over and down.
3- tape the fabric to the plug (so it is laying on the top)
4- lay the door frame down on it and push down pulling the fabric down over the plug.
5- check from the other side to be sure the seam ended up where you want it.
Practice about six times before using glue!! ;p The wedges were to keep the fabric tight in a few places to get a good bond.
1- lay the plug on the table
2- lay the fabric on the plug.......but don't pull it over and down.
3- tape the fabric to the plug (so it is laying on the top)
4- lay the door frame down on it and push down pulling the fabric down over the plug.
5- check from the other side to be sure the seam ended up where you want it.
Practice about six times before using glue!! ;p The wedges were to keep the fabric tight in a few places to get a good bond.
Looking good
I'll drop off my doors and canvas tomorrow for ya...
Looking good Jim. When I get a top from the other Jim I just have him sent the door material to you and let you skin then for me. Since your a expert and filling holes too
- Thread starter
- #14
I'll drop off my doors and canvas tomorrow for ya...
Looking good Jim. When I get a top from the other Jim I just have him sent the door material to you and let you skin then for me. Since your a expert and filling holes too
You guys just crack me up.
I think I could finish the body on the other 25 in the amount of time I've got in these doors. I'll pass the plug onto the first person attempting this after me. Be warned though, it fit snug in the first door and was loose as a goose in the next one. 
Some more pictures (not too many as I don't have any extra hands). I bought some stainless screws. I needed #6, a little larger than stock because the holes were stripped out on some. I had to chuck each one of these in a drill and turn the heads down to .220" or so.
The actual stretching, gluing and trimming is pretty straightforward, but takes twice as long as you'd think.
- Thread starter
- #15
Hmm, this didn't post before. 
Hung this one up to dry, on the truck was as good as any place. Daughter came home and changed my luck second one went together relatively easy. Weatherstrip, window tracks, plexiglass, touch up and handles left ...........
Hung this one up to dry, on the truck was as good as any place. Daughter came home and changed my luck second one went together relatively easy. Weatherstrip, window tracks, plexiglass, touch up and handles left ...........
wow looks great man!!!
nice work
nice work
In the immortal words of Paris Hilton, "THAT'S HOT"
Hmm, this didn't post before.
Awesome
- Thread starter
- #20
Been poking away at the window tracks. I got some 3/16" pile weatherstrip to line the inside of the track. Somebody tells me the original stuff may still be available. 
Also cut some 1/8" replacment plexiglass windows...........
Also cut some 1/8" replacment plexiglass windows...........